The Physicians’ Collections Research Grant aims to encourage new research into, and engagement with, the College's library and archive collections. The recipient is expected to share their research with the public through a variety of channels.
This grant is funded through the generosity of the Joyce Grainger Charitable Trust.
The grant enables the recipient to carry out research on the College’s historic collections. The recipient is expected to spend around 4 weeks at the College accessing our collections.
The grant recipient will receive:
A grant of £3,000 towards subsistence and travel expenses.
Study space in the College’s Reading Room at 11 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
Research support from the College’s library and archives staff.
Applying
Eligibility
The grant is open to UK-based researchers in any discipline. Applicants must not be a current employee of the College, although Fellows and Members of the College are welcome to apply.
Selection Criteria
The selection committee will consider applications according to the following criteria:
The role which the College’s collections will play in the research, including details of which collections or items will be utilised.
How the research project will be original/innovative.
The usefulness of the project to researchers and/or the wider public.
How the project will be delivered within the available time, including specific milestone dates.
What the outcomes of the project will be.
How details of the research project and its findings will be shared with researchers and/or the wider public.
The Library and Archives
The College library was established in 1682 when Sir Robert Sibbald, donated “three shelfes full of books to the Colledge of Physitians". It was the first library in Scotland specifically intended for the study of medicine.
The library contains over 70,000 books, including a copy of the first edition of the first book printed on medicine - the De Medicina of Celsus, published in 1478 - and almost 1500 journals, some of which are particularly rare. The archives contain over 400 externally deposited manuscript collections concerning eminent scientists such as Joseph Black and William Cullen.
History of medical education, particularly in Edinburgh
Social and cultural history
History of mental illness and psychiatry
Medical journals
Materia medica
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, including the work of Fellows and Members
History of military and naval medicine
Historical patient case notes
Natural history, including botany
Outcomes
The grant recipient will:
Carry out in-person research in the College's reading room using the College’s collections.
Provide a brief end of project report.
Provide a related blog post.
Deliver at least one additional output as described in the awardee’s research proposal. Examples of such an output would include, but are not limited to, a podcast, conference paper, public display or online exhibition.
Acknowledge the grant in any resulting publications.
Deadlines
Submissions will open on 26 January 2026, when the application form is added to this webpage.
The deadline for submissions will be 1 April 2026.
